Suomen 4H-liitto - Finnish 4H Federation

What Suomen 4H-liitto - Finnish 4H Federation does

Suomen 4H-liitto (Finnish 4H Federation) is a non-profit registered association (ry) founded in 1928, headquartered in Helsinki, and operating as the national umbrella for nearly 200 local 4H associations across Finland. The organization delivers youth development programs grounded in 'learning by doing' methodology, organized around four values (Head, Hands, Heart, Health), serving three primary segments: children aged 6-12 (4H Clubs), young people aged 13-28 (4H Enterprises and employment programs), and families/adult supporters, with a total membership of approximately 45,000 and 182,000 participants in 2024.

The core portfolio comprises 4H Clubs (after-school hobby activities with over 1,000 pedagogical tasks in the TOP Task Bank), 4H Enterprises (youth entrepreneurship program for ages 13-28, with over 3,000 active entrepreneurs generating combined revenues exceeding 5 million euros in 2025), and 4H Academy (online training platform offering courses with ECTS credits and digital badges). Supporting programs include Helppi (gig work app), Taimiteko (tree planting initiative with nearly 1 million seedlings planted by summer 2025), Reilu Teko (agricultural plastic recycling — 916,000 kg in 2025), Ysit töihin (ninth graders employment program reaching 13,000+ students), and international exchange programs (IFYE, Erasmus+, Nordic 4H camps).

The revenue model is predominantly public-sector funded, with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry as the primary funder, supplemented by project-based grants from EAFRD, Erasmus+, ELY Centers, and the Ministry of Education and Culture, alongside membership fees, donations, and limited service/merchandise income. Distribution is federated through nearly 200 local associations supported by a national office, with digital channels (4h.fi, member portal, Academy, Helppi app) serving as supplementary engagement surfaces. The organization is one of Finland's largest employers of under-18s, with 9,600 young people employed or operating as entrepreneurs through 4H in 2025.

Name

Suomen 4H-liitto - Finnish 4H Federation

Legal name

Suomen 4H-liitto ry

Website

https://4h.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

1928

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Suomen 4H-liitto is a Finnish non-profit youth organization founded in 1928, operating a nationwide network of nearly 200 local associations serving ~45,000 members. It delivers clubs, employment facilitation, and entrepreneurship education for children aged 6-12 and youth aged 13-28, funded primarily by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Youth entrepreneurship education
• After-school clubs
• Youth employment services
• Non-formal education

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsinki

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government funding: The primary source of funding for local 4H activities comes from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Maa- ja metsätalousministeriö), with additional government funds from municipal grants and service provisions. This constitutes the largest share of organizational revenue.
2. Membership fees: Children, youth, families, and adults pay membership fees to join 4H. The organization has approximately 45,000 members across nearly 200 local associations.
3. Donations and fundraising: Individual and corporate donations are accepted through the website (online payment, MobilePay, text message, phone, and bank transfer). Monthly recurring donations are also available via e-invoice or MobilePay. The organization holds a fundraising permit (RA/2020/1473) valid nationwide.
4. Project-based funding: 4H receives funding for specific projects from sources including the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), regional ELY Centers, Erasmus+, and the Ministry of Education and Culture. Projects cover areas such as entrepreneurship education, bioeconomy, forestry, and international youth exchange.
5. Service provision and merchandise: Revenue is generated through the 4H shop (4H-kauppa) selling merchandise, and through service fees for training courses and certifications offered by 4H Academy.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Suomen 4H-liitto is a non-profit youth organization delivering after-school clubs for children aged 6–12, a 4H Enterprise entrepreneurship program for youth aged 13–28, and employment facilitation (summer jobs and gig work via Helppi). It also offers 4H Academy online training with digital badges and ECTS credits, plus national initiatives such as Taimiteko (tree planting) and Reilu Teko (agricultural plastic recycling). Services are delivered through a federated nationwide network of nearly 200 local associations, supported by digital platforms and a central office in Helsinki.

Product overview

Suomen 4H-liitto operates as a non-profit youth organization offering a diverse portfolio of programs and services organized around four core values: Head, Hands, Heart, and Health. The portfolio consists primarily of non-digital programs and services rather than a unified software product. Core offerings include 4H Clubs (activities for children 6-12), 4H Enterprises (youth entrepreneurship program for ages 13-28), and 4H Academy (training with digital badges and ECTS credits). Supporting programs include the TOP Task Bank (1,000+ pedagogical tasks), Helppi (gig work app), Taimiteko (tree planting initiative), Reilu Teko (agricultural plastic recycling), and various international exchange, employment, and forest education programs. The organization serves approximately 45,000 members through nearly 200 local 4H associations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TOP-tehtäväpankki: A task bank with over 1,000 pedagogical tasks for primary school children
• 4H-akatemia
• Helppi
• Taimiteko

Products and services

• 4H-kerhot (4H Clubs) Versatile and affordable after-school club activities for children aged 6-12, organized locally by nearly 200 4H associations across Finland and run by trained volunteers and young leaders.
• 4H-yrittäjyys (4H Enterprises) A youth entrepreneurship program for 13-28-year-olds enabling them to establish and run their own 4H Enterprise with mentor support; enterprises typically have annual sales of EUR 50-8,000.
• 4H-akatemia (4H Academy) An online training platform for young people aged 13+ offering courses such as 'License to Work', 'Dogsitter', and 'Club Leader', with opportunities to earn ECTS credits and digital badges.
• TOP-tehtäväpankki (TOP Task Bank) An online task bank with over 1,000 pedagogical tasks for primary school children aged 6-12, used in 4H clubs to teach practical skills and entrepreneurship mindset through hands-on activities.
• Helppi A gig work service application connecting young people with casual job opportunities facilitated through 4H, where 4H typically acts as the legal employer.
• Taimiteko A national tree-planting initiative engaging young people in planting seedlings to create new forests; serves climate action, with nearly one million seedlings planted by summer 2025.
• Kolme askelta työelämään (Three Steps to Employment) A comprehensive model comprising group activities, education and training, employment, and youth 4H Enterprises to guide young people from schooling into working life.
• Reilu Teko -säkkikeräys A national fertilizer, feed, and seed sack plastic collection program operating since 1975, recycling agricultural plastics with 916,000 kg collected in 2025.
• Ysit töihin A program targeting ninth graders to improve employment and financial skills, reaching over 13,000 students in 2025 with 6,500 proceeding to summer jobs or 4H entrepreneurship.
• 4H-vaihdot (IFYE International Youth Exchanges) International youth exchange program for 4H members aged 18-27, with exchanges to Switzerland, Austria, Northern Ireland, Germany, Slovenia, Korea, and Taiwan.
• Koululaisten metsäpäivät (Forest Days for School Children) Forest education days for school children, jointly implemented with the Finnish Forest Association under the 'Kaikki kuutoset metsään' initiative launched in 2026.
• Ruokakoulu (Food School) A food education camp program for 8-12-year-olds teaching cooking and healthy eating through hands-on activities, with nearly 600 children participating annually.
• Yritystä pelissä (Cash n' Jeti) Mobile Game A mobile game developed in partnership with Lapland University of Applied Sciences in which players run a business in a Finnish urban or rural environment, aiming to maximize profits and learning entrepreneurship skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 9,600 young people employed or operating as entrepreneurs in 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Finnish Forest Association (Suomen Metsäyhdistys)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20254H and the Finnish Forest Association jointly implement the 'All Sixth-Graders to the Forest' (Kaikki kuutoset metsään) initiative, aiming to bring all sixth-graders in Finland to an experiential forest day each school year. The initiative received significant funding from the Finnish Forest Foundation.
• Siili SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Siili Solutions partners with 4H to compensate its employees' annual carbon footprint through the Taimiteko (Planting) program. Siili plants approximately 43 seedlings per employee annually through 4H, starting in spring 2020. This is a long-term climate compensation partnership.
• Miljoonasade (Finnish rock band)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Finnish rock band Miljoonasade partners with 4H to compensate the carbon footprint of their concerts through the Taimiteko program. The band plants trees equivalent to the CO2 emissions from their tours, integrating climate action into their performances.
• Häme University of Applied Sciences (Hämeen ammattikorkeakoulu)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018HAMK partnered with 4H during the 'Bio- and Circular Economy in 4H Academy' project (2018-2020) to integrate 4H sapling养护 (tree nursery) training into HAMK's study programs, allowing students to earn credits for 4H training.
• Laurea University of Applied SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Laurea University of Applied Sciences was a co-implementer in the 'Food from Nature' (Ruokaa luonnosta) project (2018-2021), piloting business models for wild herb distribution and processing in Uusimaa region.
• MTK-Etelä-Savo (Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018MTK-Etelä-Savo was a co-implementer in the 'Maaseudun nuorten StartUp' project, contributing agricultural and forestry sector expertise to rural youth entrepreneurship development.
• Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luonnonvarakeskus, Luke)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Luke was a partner in the 'DigiMetsä' forestry training project (2017-2019) and in the 'Maaseudun nuorten StartUp' project (2018-2020), providing expertise in forestry and bioeconomy education.
• Metsäkeskus (Finnish Forestry Centre)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Metsäkeskus was a partner in the 'DigiMetsä' project (2017-2019), contributing to forestry training and digital service development for young forest owners.
• Maaseutu 2020minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Maaseutu 2020 was a partner in the 'DigiMetsä' forestry training project (2017-2019), contributing to rural development and entrepreneurship education.
• Global 4H NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Finland's 4H has been a member of the Global 4H Network and its European subgroup since its founding in 2014. The network connects 4H organizations worldwide and organizes seminars and events for staff and youth. The network spans over 80 countries with nearly 10 million members.
• Rural Youth Europe (RYE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRural Youth Europe is a European cooperation organization for rural youth organizations from 18 countries. RYE organizes courses, seminars, and events for 18-30-year-olds. Its flagship event is the annual Rally bringing together about 100 young people from across Europe. 4H Finland sends young participants.
• Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (EU programmes)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programs provide funding for youth exchanges, youth participation projects, solidarity projects, and staff mobility. 4H uses these programs to organize international youth exchanges and training. The most familiar to 4H is the Erasmus+ youth exchange.
• Nordic 4H organizations (Sweden, Norway, Denmark)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordic 4H organizations collaborate through biennial Nordic 4H camps for youth aged 14+, annual leadership meetings of organization heads, and exchange programs. This is the most important form of cross-border cooperation.
• Scouts Finland (Suomen Partiolaiset)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner4H and Scouts Finland cooperate on shared youth development initiatives, including joint events at Finland's Arena and collaborative projects around nature-based learning and youth participation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Scouts Finland (Suomen Partiolaiset): Finland's national Scouting federation, comparable as a nationwide volunteer-driven youth organization offering clubs, badges, camps, and international exchange. Named as a 4H partner, but competes for the same families, volunteers, and public co-funding in Finland.
• Girl Guides and Girl Scouts Finland: Finnish national Guiding organization delivering clubs, camps, and international exchanges to children and youth. Targets a similar demographic of families seeking structured extracurricular activities and competes for volunteer leaders and government support.
• Junior Achievement (JA Worldwide): Global nonprofit focused on youth entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy education for school-age youth. Highly comparable to 4H's enterprise, Academy, and 'Ysit töihin' programs in mission, age range, and educational methodology.
• Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (MLL): Finland's largest child welfare NGO, operating local associations that deliver family and youth services, including after-school clubs. Comparable as a federated Finnish nonprofit delivering child- and family-focused services through a local-association model.
• YMCA Finland: Finnish YMCA affiliate offering youth clubs, sports, international exchange, and community programs through local branches. Comparable as a federated, value-driven youth organization with paid staff and volunteers delivering community-based activities.

Others

• European Youth Forum: European-level platform representing youth organizations in EU policy. Comparable as a coordinating umbrella that 4H Finland engages with through Erasmus+ and EU youth programs, providing policy alignment and funding pathway comparability.
• Rural Youth Europe: European federation of rural youth organizations, including 4H Finland. Comparable as a peer organization delivering cross-border youth exchanges, training, and rural youth development programs, and as a channel through which 4H Finland accesses EU youth funding.

Broad incumbents

• World Organization of the Scout Movement: Global Scouting umbrella with ~57 million members across national organizations. Directly analogous to 4H in mission (youth character development through practical activities), nonprofit federated model, and reliance on volunteer-led local units.

Emerging players

• SOS Children's Villages Finland: Finnish branch of a global NGO supporting children and young people in care. Comparable in operating as a registered association (ry), receiving government and donor funding, and serving vulnerable youth in Finland.

Regional players

• Finnish Olympic Committee Youth Programs: National umbrella coordinating sports clubs and youth physical-activity programs across Finland. Competes with 4H for children's after-school time and for municipal youth funding, but emphasizes sports rather than entrepreneurship and practical skills.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/4HSuomi
• Facebookfacebook.com/4HSuomi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/suomen-4h-liitto
• Instagraminstagram.com/4hsuomi
• TikToktiktok.com/@4hsuomi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Suomen 4H-liitto - Finnish 4H Federation